Coil Spring Compressors: OTC vs. Branick

[The Critic]

Does anyone have experience with the OTC 6637 or the Branick 7600? I want one for my house. The shop has a Branick 7400 so I am familiar with how those operate, and I have been generally happy with the adjustability of the Branick design. I am unfamiliar with the OTC's adjustment capabilities and some vehicles we have service have smaller coil springs (with fewer coils) and/or “cockeyed” springs.

Also, the advertising literature on the OTC suggests a 4,000 pound maximum spring compression capacity versus the Branick's 3,000 pound limit…not sure how relevant that will be for my needs.

 

[Jarhead0408]

I bought the OTC after finding an old thread here where someone said a strut assembly had slipped off of their Branick.

I like the collars that tighten clamps onto the coils with the OTC unit.

You might be able to find the thread if you dig a bit. That OTC unit can be found for sub-$400 on Facebook Marketplace if you’re patient. I found mine for $200 and have passed up a few later on that were less than that.

 

[The Critic]

Strut compressors | Automotive shop tools | Quality Stainless Products

The DB-8000-XL is an air operated strut compressor designed to help safely remove the spring coil of a vehicle's strut assembly. The MSC-1000 economy manual strut compressor can be wall or floor mounted.

www.qsponline.com

MSC-1000 is also in the same price range as the OTC and Branick options. I heard that the pneumatic version is the new Toyota SST for Sequoia and Tundra springs.

 

[Steve_P]

I don't have any personal experience with either. But, all I have ever seen in shops is the Brannick. I'm sure a lot of that has to do with it being the standard for decades, it's the Wilton vise of spring compressors, but it really has a simple, robust design. I would love to have a Brannick, but I would only use it once every 10 years. Saying that, the OTC does look like a good design. All of the cheaper options seem to use cast parts to compress the springs, which I would personally avoid.

 

[leadfoot415]

Brannicks are the quickest and do more setups with the easiest adjustment, with the penalty of an unsteady compression situation if the operator isn't trained or paying attention/horsing on the unit. OTC prevents errant springs and struts from becoming projectiles, untrained people can master it quickly, but takes more time to adjust and center the assembly or change the press adapator (we had a "top collar" that you could press only on the top plate easily to just change a strut/coil over, vs clamping on the coil only to change the top mount plate/bearing and strut).

 

[dnschmidt]

If something has been the industry standard for 40 years there must be a reason: BRANNICK.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I have used the OTC one before, maybe it was the first model of strut tamer. I didn't like it, cocked and twisted the spring all around. You couldn't compress on the strut mount either so the whole assembly would have to come apart.

 

[ricleh]

I have a Branick 7200 that I got 15 or 20 years ago for $200. I've used it on my Toyota Camry, Toyota Tundra and BMW 530i. Very easy and safe to use.